While Kia is still keeping mum about the all-new second-generation 2022 Kia Niro’s powertrain, they’ve now dropped a few hints while telling us about the eco car’s design concept.

Like before, the Niro will come with three powertrain offerings: a hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and an electric vehicle (EV) version.

But the powertrains will not be the only part of the car working to keep fuel consumption low, designers and engineers have specifically penned every line to aerodynamically reduce drag and ultimately help reduce fuel consumption.

When designers insisted on adding a grey panel on the c-pillar, engineers had designed an aero-pillar with a hole inside to relieve the pressure and ensure the artistic design does not compromise the car’s aerodynamics.

Also read: Kia Niro is coming to Malaysia in 2023, what is it and why you should get excited about it

On to the hints that Kia has dropped about the new powertrain. Engineers promise better control over the hybrid powertrain, they have also added a pure EV mode for the PHEV powertrain. This mode is known as the Greenzone Drive mode.

The driver can even customise the settings to switch on Greenzone Drive mode whenever they enter a pre-determined green zone set up using geo-fencing.

Closer to home, Bermaz Auto Alliance (BAA), the distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, has confirmed that the second-generation Kia Niro will be launching here. They will also be taking advantage of the current EV incentives and launch the e-Niro EV as well.

Also read: 4 new Kia models to Malaysia, EV included - CKD Kia Carnival, Sportage, Sorento, Niro